For a rest day today was pretty jam packed. After work I ran over to Costco as one of my swim teammates had let me know that they had Speedo suits for $20.99. Since I binned two suits last week I figured it would be worth checking them out. Sure enough, they had suits, but none of the more sporty kind that I was looking for. After a quick run through the store and realizing that I didn't quite have the burning desire to buck up $55 to renew my membership yet I headed home to whip up dinner/lunch for the Great Lunch Swap Project. I had a Moroccan dish picked out - chicken with tomatoes and honey over couscous. I'm not sure that this turned out too terribly exotic but it was reasonably tasty. After quickly scarfing that down I headed out to my favourite tri store in town, Tri It, for an information night being put on by Hammer Nutrition. Of all the brands of gel I have tried Hammer and Gu are my two favourites for taste. But apart from their gels I wasn't too familiar with the rest of their products.
The folks at Hammer seem more about education for fueling and they believe in their product, but if it doesn't work for you, then that's okay. In terms of fueling for a marathon you can down some gels and be in pretty good shape, but nutrition for longer distance triathlon is something that boggles my mind. I know I'll have to learn about it, and I know it will require some good experimentation...but I really don't have an idea where to start. So tonight was a great night. Some interesting points that I took away:
(The ice cream was so good though...and it wasn't all bad...was it?)
The folks at Hammer seem more about education for fueling and they believe in their product, but if it doesn't work for you, then that's okay. In terms of fueling for a marathon you can down some gels and be in pretty good shape, but nutrition for longer distance triathlon is something that boggles my mind. I know I'll have to learn about it, and I know it will require some good experimentation...but I really don't have an idea where to start. So tonight was a great night. Some interesting points that I took away:
- If you are exercising over three hours you should take in some protein too.
- Your digestive system likes liquid fuel a whole lot better than solid fuel.
- You need to replenish electrolytes in any weather, not just in hot weather.
- You need to try and refuel your body as soon after you exercise as possible. Rainmaker likes chocolate milk for his recovery drink, although there are many different ways to get that recovery drink/snack.
(The ice cream was so good though...and it wasn't all bad...was it?)
14 comments:
lol, that's totally awesome and sounds like something i would "refuel" on after a big workout :) Unfortunately I can't keep ice cream in the freezer as it's a huge weakness and it'll be gone instantly! I will totally look for you at the race sunday...not sure what i'll be wearing yet though...
very cool they had an educational session, i think that would be interesting...good for her on keeping you on track ;)
That's my favorite way to refuel too, but I like mint chocolate chip :-) (beats beer by the way *gasp*)
There are really 4 elements in long distance tris - swim, bike, run and nutrition. So, yes, getting it sorted out it very important!
And by the 6 hour mark of a half IM, you will be VERY sick of gels/gatorade! We've been quite successful with trying different things and finding things that work.
I saw your FB status and thought that is something I would do. Okay, HAVE DONE. lol
That information sessions sounds great. I would love to attend something like that around here. Sounds like you learned something too!
Coca Cola is my favorite after a long and/or hot ride run. I've even stopped for one in the middle of a ride. Sugary good!
BUT for real refueling, at a fraction of the price of the premix stuff - low fat chocolate milk + amino acid powder (L-Glutemine) for muscle repair is great.
Ice cream can never be all bad
LOL it's so funny you bring this up. I just got a Hammer catalog in the mail today. I think I'm gonna give em a try. I've heard other peeps says good things about their stuff as well.
k, i will never post what i'm refueling with LOL. I've tried the Hammer gels and liked them a lot! The session sounds great!
Sounds like a tasty refueling option. :)
Gotta love Hammer, my fuel of choice for my races and training, it's all pretty good although the flavors can be a bit hit and miss!
I think Ice Cream is a perfectly appropriate recovery food.
I wouldn't eat ice cream always because it would undoubtedly go to my hips (and I'd suddenly be like - oh I went on a 10 min run...time to refuel...haha) If we can't have those types of rewards every once in a while it makes life a little stale. ;)
I'm not too fond of Hammer products but like how they try to educate people on nutrition. Wish I could handle dairy products as chocolate milk or an ice cream sundae sound so easy!
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